Consequences of the War on Terror

Consequences of the War on Terror

Hearts and minds

Difficult to win the hearts and minds of the Afghan people. There were many civilian casualties (caught in the crossfire) and thousands of refugees. While many innocent Afghans were rounded up and interrogated as suspected militants. Many people were reluctant to cooperate with the security forces.

Increased Militancy

There was much sympathy for Islamic militancy. For example, the government in Pakistan struggled to control elements within its intelligence service that were sympathetic towards the Taliban. Also, US tactics, such as detention and torture, undermined sympathy for the US and support for militancy.

Tensions

Tension between the media and governments in Britain and the US, who felt the media had been too quick to criticise US forces and has ignored the actions of terrorists.

Control

Afghanistan proved too difficult to control. Taliban and Al-Qaeda continued to mount hit-and-run attacks on Western forces in an insurgency.

Heroin Production

This fell under the Taliban, but rose again and Afghanistan now supplies 90% of the world's heroin.